CarL1 Frederick Keys

Salem Comes Back to Defeat Keys, 8-7

Published on May 12, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


Trailing for the final three innings, the Salem Avalanche (17-18) refused to quit, scoring two-runs on a walk-off home run with two outs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat the Frederick Keys, 8-7, in front of 1,159 fans at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium on Monday, May 12.

The Keys (15-20) took a 7-6 lead into the bottom of the 9th after scoring a run in the top half of the inning on a wild pitch by Salem relief pitcher Monte Mansfield that scored second baseman Omar Rogers. The Keys looked to close out the game with right-handed closer Sendy Rleal in the game, but Avalanche first baseman Steve Checksfield hit a two-run home run with two outs, his second home run of the game, to send the Avalanche to victory.

Trailing 2-1 going into the 6th inning, the Keys scored two runs to take a 4-2 lead. Avalanche first baseman Checksfield threw the ball into center field trying to start a double play, allowing two runs to score. Designated hitter Alex Gordon hit a RBI base hit later in the inning to push the lead to two runs.

The Keys added two more runs in the 7th inning on a RBI base hit by center fielder Woody Cliffords and a RBI double by first baseman Mike Huggins. Checksfield hit a two-run home run, his first of the evening, in the 8th inning to cut the lead to two and set up his heroics later in the ballgame.

Salem got on the scoreboard first, scoring a run in the 1st inning. Rogers hit a RBI base hit for the Keys in the third inning to tie the score before the Avalanche grabbed the lead again in the bottom half of the inning on a force play at second that scored right fielder Brandon Caraway from third.

Rleal (2-1) got the loss for the Keys, his first of the season. Avalanche pitcher Philip Barzilla got the final out in the 9th inning to record the victory and improve to 2-0 on the year. Keys starting right-handed pitcher Dave Crouthers went 6.0 strong innings, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) off of 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 3.

The second game of the four-game series with the Salem Avalanche will get underway at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13. The Keys will send left-handed pitcher Kurt Birkins (2-2, 7.46 ERA) to the mound. Salem will counter with right-hander Jimmy Barrett (1-2, 9.68 ERA).

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Carolina League Stories from May 12, 2003


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